Powell: 'We can play better'
Monday, 27 June, 2011
National Coach reflects on opening game draw with Mexico.
By Declan Taylor
England Women National Coach Hope Powell warned her players that they will have to up their game if they want to make it to the knock-out stages of the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
Powell's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Mexico in Wolfsburg in their opening match of the tournament and Powell said: “I’m glad we didn’t lose, that’s the main thing.
“But we’re disappointed we didn’t win the game, of course.
“We can play better but the conditions are warm and our players struggled a little bit with the heat. We can play better and we all have to do that if we want to stay in this tournament.”
Fara Williams had opened the scoring with a superb 21st-minute header but England were pegged back 13 minutes later when Monaco Ocampo’s 30- yard strike flew past goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.
And Powell admitted that Bardsley was disappointed to have been beaten from long range.
“The goal flew in,” added Powell. “You would’ve expected her to save that and she’s bitterly disappointed. The goal brought them right back into it.
“But I think until then we dominated but it is about scoring goals so, 1-1, we go with a point.”